If you have reason to suspect child abuse, make the report by calling the DCFS hotline, where a hotline worker will determine if the information given by the reporter meets the legal requirements to initiate an investigation. You have the right to report your story, and we are here to help, listen and connect you to the right services. If you need to report historical abuse, please contact OPCY at Mandated Reporters are required to call the DCFS hotline immediately when they have reasonable cause to believe that a child known to them in their professional or official capacity may be an abused or neglected child.
The hotline worker will determine if the information given by the reporter meets the legal requirements to initiate an investigation. We know the idea of calling the DCFS hotline can be scary. When we receive a call to our hotline, we make every effort to ensure that you remain safe throughout the reporting process. You can choose to make your call anonymously, so no one has to know you made the call. If it is an emergency, an emergency worker will be at your home within the hour.
Otherwise, a social worker will visit your home within 5 days to begin the investigation process. During the investigation, you will have the opportunity to talk to the social worker assigned to your case privately, and explain what is happening in your home from your perspective.
You may be temporarily removed from your home for your own safety, but that is not always necessary. Learn more about DCFS investigations. Child abuse is repeated mistreatment or neglect of a child by parent s or other guardian resulting in injury or harm. Under California Law, child abuse is a crime. Children need protection because they are vulnerable and often unable to speak for themselves.
The California Child Abuse Reporting Law, along with other state laws, provides the legal basis for action to protect children and allow intervention by public agencies if a child is maltreated.
Physical : Shaking, beating, or burning; failure to provide necessities of life such as adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care; a child being subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment. Emotional : Excessive yelling, belittling or name-calling. Exposure to ongoing domestic violence between parents or caregivers. Sexual : Incest, rape and any other sexual act on a child. Sexual Exploitation : Treatment of a child as a sexual object; Involvement in pornography or solicitation for sexual acts in exchange for benefits i.
Discipline is when parents and caregivers find constructive ways to help children correct and improve their behavior. Abuse is when parents or caregivers express their negative feelings in either a physically or emotionally harmful manner.
To avoid further abuse, children may lie, run away or exhibit other forms of avoiding responsibility. Abuse tends to damage the self-esteem of both parents and children. Safe and effective discipline is a correction given out of love. Examples of appropriate discipline could include a look of reproach, scolding the child or taking away a valued privilege. Repeated Injuries : Bruises, welts or burns.
Parents may seem unconcerned, deny that anything is wrong or give unlikely explanations for the injuries. Neglected Appearance : Children often are badly nourished, inadequately clothed, are left alone or are wandering at all hours and it may seem as if nobody cares.
Sometimes, though, over-neatness is also a sign of abuse. Disruptive Behavior : Constantly repeated, very aggressive negative behavior can be a sign of abuse and signal a desperate need for attention and help.
Passive Withdrawn Behavior : When children are excessively shy and friendless, it may indicate that there are serious problems at home. Use caution and good sense in identifying child abuse. All parents make errors in judgment, but when the errors become a pattern, or are close to becoming one, it is time for help.
Child abuse happens often. It is estimated that as many as a million cases of abuse and neglect happen each year. Its effects are severe:. Search mobile Search mobile Submit. December 10, Privacy Policy Terms of Use. Sign Up. To receive the latest news and information from the Shriver Center.
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